Here is one story of how our beloved Fraternity’s leadership program impacted collegiate member Lydia Hite, President of the Xi Theta/South Dakota State University chapter (pictured far left).

What leadership skills did you gain through your chapter’s workshop from The Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute of Chi Omega?

This workshop opened the door to what a true leader in Chi Omega should be, and how to emulate the Chi Omega Symphony. I never would’ve dreamed I’d serve as my chapter’s President, let alone gain the skills I have developed.

What changes have you seen in your chapter following the workshop?

Each member was eager to make changes so we could see our chapter thrive. The skills we each took to heart gave us the confidence to represent Chi Omega strongly and proudly. Whether leadership means serving on the Executive Board or simply reaching out to help at an event, each Sister gained the understanding that it is vital to have all kinds of leaders to ensure that our chapter continues to gain knowledge and to grow.

Your gift today can shape future Chi Omega leaders. I am so proud of how we come together to deliver invaluable educational resources to our younger Sisters.

Join me in supporting Sisters like Lydia as they become strong leaders who step confidently into new roles throughout their lives.

Loyally,

Letitia Fulkerson
Foundation President

Online Alcohol Education

Below, read from current collegians about the effectiveness of the online alcohol education each and every Chi Omega collegian receives on an annual basis.

Sisters Helping Sisters: Harvey’s Hero

Chi Omega is sending love, thoughts, and prayers to our tens of thousands of Sisters who have felt the direct impact of recent Presidentially-declared natural disasters. We know many of our Sisters have been displaced, and we have already received several requests for financial assistance from Sisters impacted by Hurricane Harvey alone. Many of our Sisters impacted by Hurricane Irma and Maria are just now getting back electricity and we anticipate many more requests for assistance in the coming weeks.

We are incredibly grateful to Sisters, neighbors, first responders, and many more who have stepped up to help with bravery and generosity.

One such Sister is Dr. Jennifer McQuade (Lambda Gamma | Virginia, pictured below on the left), an oncologist at Houston’s MD Anderson Center, who has been dubbed “Harvey’s Hero” by many in the community.

“The first day of the storm, as Harvey swamped Houston, she [Jennifer] made her way to the city’s emergency shelter to donate blankets and socks. When she arrived, she found a chaotic scene. Evacuees were being delivered in the back of dump trucks, soaking wet and sometimes wounded, but, as McQuade discovered, there was no medical team in place.

So McQuade was spurred into action. She got on Facebook and made an urgent plea for help to the Physician Moms Group, some 70,000 women strong, all across the country (‘women doctors, getting it done,’ she says with a grin.)”

To read more about this extraordinary Sister visit click here or read NPR’s recent article about Jennifer’s efforts.

In that same spirit, Sisters around the country have asked how they can help their fellow Chi Omegas in need.

The Helping Hands Fund for Disaster Relief was created to assist Chi Omega alumnae and collegians who are suddenly in financial need due to Presidentially-declared disasters, such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Consider giving to The Helping Hands Fund for Disaster Relief and your gift will directly benefit these Sisters and help them start anew.

Former Governing Council President Letitia Fulkerson has been appointed by current S.H. Shelley Potter to serve as President of the Chi Omega Foundation, effective in 2017. Outgoing Foundation President Jane Rogers concluded her term in December 2016 with the successful conclusion of the Sisterhood Never Stops Campaign, the largest campaign in women’s fraternal history at more than $26 million.

The devotion of volunteers has been a source of constant strength for Chi Omega. Jane has led the way in these efforts, serving Chi Omega as Centennial Chair from 1992-95, as a Governing Council member from 1994-2000, and as a Foundation Trustee since 2000. Jane graciously agreed to serve as Foundation President from November 2014 through the end of the Campaign, concluding December 2016. We are grateful for her leadership, fundraising skills, generous spirit and all she has shared. Jane will serve another year as a Trustee — and we hope she will be engaged with our Foundation for years to come, as her friendships are far-reaching and efforts for Chi Omega are extraordinary. Proud graduates of the University of Arkansas, Jane and her husband Jay reside in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Letitia’s service to Chi Omega Fraternity has been constant since her collegiate experience. She has served Chi Omega in many different capacities, including multiple Fraternity staff roles and service on Chi Omega volunteer teams and committees. Letitia joined the Chi Omega Governing Council in 2004 as Treasurer and was the first ex-officio Foundation Trustee when that role was created in 2006 as the A Loyalty to Sisterhood Campaign for endowment was concluding. She became Fraternity President in 2008, serving for six years.

A past president of The Ohio State University’s Greek Leaders Alumni Society, Letitia has been honored with the Outstanding OSU Alumni Society Leader Award. She received the Outstanding Chi Omega Alumna State of Ohio Award in 2001 and was the recipient of the Chi Omega President’s Award at Convention 2016.

Letitia brings a wealth of experience and skills that will help guide the Foundation for its next endeavors and an exciting future for Chi Omega. With the investment of loyal friends and donors, Letitia and Shelley are excited about the opportunities for Chi Omega.

Professionally, Letitia established an award-winning State Farm Insurance Agency in 1990, which she continues to operate. She and her husband, Mike, live in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Roselyn T. Dabbs Philanthropist Award recipient Linda Gregg Fields is an initiate of Alpha Zeta Chapter at Texas State University, where she earned an education degree. This award was named to honor former Chi Omega Foundation President Roselyn Threadgill Dabbs. It is given to a Chi Omega who has demonstrated outstanding fraternal and charitable responsibility and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles within the Greek community and in her own community. Linda and her husband, Jerry, are philanthropic visionaries, having donated millions to causes around the globe, including Chi Omega. Her commitment to improving lives reaches many organizations worldwide. The family’s gift of $1 million to the Chi Omega Foundation’s Sisterhood Never Stops Campaign represents one of the largest gifts in Chi Omega’s history, and will be utilized as critical funding to support the emerging needs of the Fraternity in perpetuity.

Sela Ward, 2016 Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement

Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement Sela Ward is an initiate of the Nu Beta Chapter at the University of Alabama. This national award is the Fraternity’s highest honor, recognizing distinguished accomplishment in service to Chi Omega, an individual’s community, and the nation. The Woman of Achievement Award is named in honor of Georgia resident Malinda Jolley Mortin, a dedicated Chi Omega alumna. Sela has received many awards for her performances, including Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Cable Ace Award. Her roles include those in Independence Day: Resurgence, Gone Girl, The Fugitive, Sisters, Once and Again, CSI: NY, House, and many more. Sela is author of the New York Times bestseller Homesick, founder of Hope Village for Children in her native state of Mississippi, and honorary chair of Chi Omega’s premier giving group, The 1895 Society.

Both awards were presented by the Chi Omega Foundation Trustees during Chi Omega’s 61st Biennial Convention in June 2016, with more than 1,200 collegiate and alumnae delegates in attendance. We are honored to be represented by these incredible Sisters and to recognize their impact on Chi Omega and beyond.

Chi Omega was represented on the Miss America 2017 stage this Sunday by Miss Mississippi, Laura Lee Lewis (Phi Delta Chapter/Mississippi State University) and Miss Texas, Caroline Carothers (Theta Kappa Chapter/Baylor University). Both finished in the Top 7 and Laura Lee was Fourth Runner-Up! We are so proud of their accomplishments.

Miss Mississippi, Laura Lee Lewis is an initiate of the Phi Delta Chapter at Mississippi State University, where is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Her platform, Mentoring Matters, is focused on establishing a community-based approach to youth mentorship, bringing awareness to mentoring opportunities and the powerful impact they can have on young men and women. Laura Lee was able to perform her vocal talent on the Miss America stage.

Miss Texas, Caroline Carothers is an initiate of the Theta Kappa Chapter at Baylor University, where she is also a Feature Twirler. A competitive baton twirler since the age of 6, Caroline teaches twirling to young women and performed her talent at Miss America. An aspiring math teacher, Caroline’s platform, With Math I Can, helps students reach their potential and change negative attitudes about math.

Chi Omega is honored to be represented by Laura Lee, Caroline, and all of the other Sisters who were local titleholders during 2016. We can’t wait to see what’s next for these incredible women. Congratulations to our Panhellenic Sister and former Miss Arkansas, Savvy Shields, for being crowned Miss America 2017!